Defining success in laparoscopic pyeloplasty

SummaryReported success rates for laparoscopic pyeloplasty exceed 90% despite no standard definition of success.ObjectiveTo assess our success rate for laparoscopic pyeloplasty using various definitions reported in the literature.MethodData for 52 patients undergoing transperitoneal laparoscopic pyeloplasty were retrospectively analysed. We define success as improvement in pain plus preservation of differential function on MAG3 renogram. Other case series were identified in the literature and their definitions of success used to reassess our data.ResultsFull data were available on 47/52 patients. Defining success as improvement in pain plus preservation of differential function on MAG3 renogram, our success rate was 85.1%. By entering our data into others’ definitions of success, our success rate ranged from 77% to 98%.ConclusionWe have demonstrated the impact of various definitions on the reported success rate in laparoscopic pyeloplasty. There is a need for consensus in defining success so that meaningful comparison of results can be made. We propose that our definition should be adopted in future assessments of this procedure.